Weasels, like most mustelids, are carnivores. They
eat other animals, carrion, and insects. All weasels
have keen eyesight, keen smell, and are excellent
hunters. They are bloodthirsty, often killing for
fun and leaving prey carcasses uneaten. Humans
hunt weasels in response to their bloodthirsty natures
and for their beautiful, soft fur. This is especially
true of weasels that live in cold climates and
grow white winter coats that collectively provide
ermine.
Weasels are known for their unpleasant odor,
from musk made in perineal glands. The longtailed
weasel is the best-known North American
species. It has a white belly, a brown back, and a
black tail tip. Males and females are 1.5 and 1 foot
long, respectively. The least weasel, also North
American, is the smallest known carnivore, only
six to eight inches long.
Weasels have long, slender
bodies and all have short legs. Each mustelid
paw has five toes, with sharp claws for grasping
prey and burrowing. Weasels are the smallest mustelids, weigh three ounces.

Weasel Facts

Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Subkingdom: Bilateria
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
Subfamilies: Mustelinae
Geographical location: Europe, North America and Asia
Habitat: Most live on the ground, some live in trees
Gestational period: One month
Life span: From ten to up to twenty-five years
Special anatomy: Paws with sharp digging and
grasping claws, luxurious fur, webbed feet in
otters